Norquay
Beluga
Adopted by The Fairmont Banff Springs
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ID number
DL0132
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Sex
Male
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Year of birth
Before 1974
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Known Since
1990
Distinctive traits
Norquay is best recognized by the profile of his dorsal crest. In fact, it changed in 1993 : there’s a single large notch at the end of the crest, compared with three small ones previously. There’s also a gray patch on his right flank.
Life history
When we first met him in 1990, Norquay was already white. He was therefore born before 1974.
His associations and the areas he frequents clearly indicate that Norquay is a male. He is a member of one of the two networks of males that frequent the Saguenay Fjord and its mouth.
Belugas are the only resident cetaceans in the St. Lawrence. However, they migrate seasonally between the upstream and downstream parts of their range. In summer, Norquay frequents the Saguenay Fjord and its mouth up to Les Bergeronnes. In winter, along with the rest of the population, he moves to the lower estuary and the northern Gulf. In spring, the population spreads from the Gaspé Peninsula to Ile aux Coudres.
Regularly seen with...
Observations history in the Estuary
Years in which the animal was not observed Years in which the animal was observed
Latest news
We observe Norquay in the Saguenay Fjord, near Sainte-Marguerite Bay. He is in a herd of around 40 individuals, made up of adults, calves and a newborn. He swims in the company of Tepui and Griffon. When we arrive, the herd is scattered into several small groups ; slowly, the animals gather into one large pack.
Norquay was last seen in 2003. What happened to him? Did he die? Has he remained invisible to the eye of the researcher all this time? Impossible to know at the moment. One thing is certain : his story remains a valuable source of information for our knowledge of this fragile population.
Sponsor
The Fairmont Banff Springs adopted Norquay (1999).